Evicted Spaniard`s suicide brings thousands to streets
Baku, November 10 (AZERTAC). Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Basque Spanish city of Barakaldo to condemn the suicide of an evictee as well as to protest against further foreclosures.
Fifty-three-year-old Amaia Egaña jumped four floors to her death as bailiffs prepared to kick her out after she failed to stay current on her mortgage payments. She is the second person in less than three weeks to commit suicide in the face of an impending eviction.
Organizers of the Stop Eviction march called for immediate action by Madrid to end foreclosures, blaming the suicide on Spain`s economic hardship. Demonstrators shouted slogans such as ``No eviction unanswered,`` and ``Banker, remember - we have rope.``
It is estimated that more than 400,000 families have lost their homes due to unpaid rents since the start of Spain`s financial crisis in 2007.
On Thursday, the EU Court of Justice criticized Spain`s mortgage law, which governs evictions, calling for a halt to the reposition of property. The Court said the legislation is incompatible with European consumer protection standards.
Following the tragedy, Barakaldo judge Juan Carlos Mediavilla also said that it is "necessary to amend current mortgage legislation" to prevent the recurrence of such events.
Employment and Social Security Minister Fatima Banez said the government deeply regretted Egaña`s death.
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